How To Finish Furniture

Knowing how to finish furniture is as important as knowing how to build it. It is much easier to do, requires less tools, is a cheaper project and takes less time to complete. For this project, a dresser will used as the example. It should provide enough details to carry over any other furniture you may want to finish.

Items needed:

• Sand paper
• Sanding block
• Screwdriver
• Screws
• Wood glue
• Paint brush
• Varnish or paint

1. Set down on paper exactly what you want the project to look like when it is finished. This where you determine the finish you want to use, the color you want to use and if you want a glossy or flat finish.
2. Find a place to finish your project where it will be undisturbed until it is dry. The location also needs to have adequate ventilation.
3. Remove all of the hardware from the dresser. The hardware is the handles on the drawers, mirrors that have been mounted or anything else that can be removed. This will give you a professional looking finish.
4. Sand down the dresser. Using a sanding block (a block of wood with the sand paper wrapped around it) will make it easier to sand your project, and an electric sander will make it still. You will have to sand some of it by hand because there will be places that the sander cannot reach.
5. Apply varnish or paint. Be sure to have adequate ventilation. Allow furniture to dry completely.
6. Replace all hardware that was removed.

Tips:

When finishing a piece of furniture that is upholstered, the upholstery should be last thing added.                           

Be sure to clean the piece of furniture to be finished to give the varnish or paint the best surface possible to bond to.